In June 2025 I embarked on my very first volunteering expedition. The aim was to assist in the building of a school in Bali. The trip was booked through IVHQ. They have volunteering opportunities for seniors as well as students. Before going any further, I have to say they were great and whilst it pushes up the cost, for me it was the correct decision.
The accommodation was hostel type which was in Green Lion Bali (Melati House) about 8 Km from Ubud. There was an option to stay with a local family if I preferred. The hostel was nice and clean and whilst the food was basic it was always fresh and tasty. The staff were really helpful and friendly. There was also a lovely pool.
The site was a short trip away and we left most mornings around 8 to 8:30. The original school consisted of one room where there were circa 40 children and three teachers teaching three year groups in the single room. So we build a new school with two new rooms meaning each year had it’s own dedicated classroom.
Whilst the hostel was alcohol free there was a ‘bar’ across the road. There we had a pool table and food was available if you wanted to order something different. Everyone was really friendly and welcoming. The other volunteers were a mix of nationalities. Most were in their 20 with about 5 more senior volunteers. It worked really well and there were no problems.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. One of the best experiences of my life. After spending time on the volunteering project, I took another period of time to tour Bali which is a beautiful island. Here’s some more images from the project.
